To say that Heart of Darkness has had a complicated existence is putting it mildly. It is simultaneously one of the most revered and reviled fictional accounts of colonialism -- all the more reason for it to be considered essential reading.

I have always personally enjoyed this novella, especially for its adventure qualities, seething and subtle as they may be. It's a great quick book for a very hot, muggy day, and if you haven't read it since high school, please give it another look.

The Bookhive List is a weekly recommendation of my all-time favorite, must-read books.